http://www.perlmonks.org?node_id=746694


in reply to Redundant regex ([0-9]{2} | [0-9] {2, 4})?

No, /[0-9]{2} / does not match a subset of what / [0-9] {2, 4}/ matches.

/[0-9]{2} / only matches "99\x{20}", where 9 can by any digit 0-9
/ [0-9] {2, 4}/ only matches "\x{20}9\x{20}{2,\x{20}4}", where 9 can by any digit 0-9

Update: Fixed copy and paste bug in in second item.

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Re^2: Redundant regex ([0-9]{2} | [0-9] {2, 4})?
by Popcorn Dave (Abbot) on Feb 27, 2009 at 00:34 UTC
    Holy crap, I need glasses! I completely missed the space in there and didn't realize it until I increased the font size.

    That makes perfect sense now. Duh.


    To disagree, one doesn't have to be disagreeable - Barry Goldwater

      Spaces removed, /[0-9]{2}/ does match a subset of what /[0-9]{2,4}/ matches.

      I'm sure what he wanted was just /[0-9]{2,4}/.